The Italian football club that conquered the top flight through sheer sorcery
In short: From the lower divisions of Italian football to a historic, record-breaking ascent, Benevento Calcio has lived a life of dramatic highs and lows. Known as the Stregoni, this club carries the mystical legends of witches in its very identity.
Founded in 1929 as Associazione Calcio Benevento, the club's early history was defined by steady climbs through the Italian ranks. By the 1934–35 season, they had reached the Prima Divisione, the third tier of the professional system. Following a reorganization of the league into a 64-team Serie C, the club eventually faced a modern rebirth in 2005 after F.C. Sporting Benevento S.r.l. folded.
The club's most remarkable period arrived in the mid-2010s. Under manager Gaetano Auteri, Benevento secured promotion to Serie B on 30 April 2016, following a 3–0 victory over Lecce. In a stunning feat of momentum, they achieved promotion to Serie A in their very first season in the second division, defeating Carpi 1–0 on aggregate in the June 2017 play-offs.
However, their debut in Italy's top flight was marked by a historic struggle. The club set a record for the worst start in Europe's top five leagues, losing their first 14 matches. A dramatic 95th-minute equalizer from goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli against A.C. Milan on 3 December 2017 finally broke the streak. While they showed flashes of brilliance—including a 1–0 win against Juventus in 2021—the club has since navigated the volatility of relegation and promotion.
The club's identity is deeply tied to local folklore. Their badge features a black witch on a broom, a nod to the 13th-century legends of the witches of Benevento. They play their home matches at the Stadio Ciro Vigorito, a 25,000-capacity venue originally known as Santa Colomba, named in honor of the brother of club president Oreste Vigorito.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Benevento Calcio
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